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2019 was a tough year for the trucking industry, especially for small trucking companies. According to the study by Brighton Capital LLC, around 640 trucking companies went bankrupt within the first half of 2019. Thousands of truck drivers lost their jobs and hundreds of small business owners saw their investments go down the drain. After all, trucking business loans can only do so much.
With the current state of the trucking industry, learning how to market your company is crucial to its survival. To keep your business afloat, here are five effective tips to market your trucking company.
1. Know Where Your Target Market Is
You don’t have to be a marketing expert to know that one of the keys to effectively marketing your brand is knowing your target audience. By knowing where they are (online and offline), you’ll be able to get your message across, increase the potential for success, and save time, money, and effort. Marketing without an audience in mind is like shouting in the wind.
For example, you’re running paid ads on Twitter yet you’re not getting the results you want. You do your research and find out that the majority of your customers are on Facebook. To make the most of your marketing efforts, you focus your campaigns on Facebook, and months later, you have new business coming in. With that said, don’t waste your time marketing where your customers aren’t.
2. Make a User-Friendly Website
If you don’t have a website for your trucking business, you’re clearly missing out. Small business owners often forego making a website thinking it’s only added expense. However, companies that aren’t on the Internet are losing out on great business opportunities.
For starters, you can use websites like WordPress or Wix to create and launch a user-friendly website. Make sure to optimize your website according to search engine guidelines so you’ll be able to reach more people.
3. Attend Trade Shows
Networking is an important aspect of every new business. Building relationships and trading resources are crucial to the success of your trucking company. Attending trade shows lets you meet with potential business partners – trucking company owners, suppliers, and employees. You can check out this year’s trucking management conferences and trade shows here.
4. Publish Ads in Trade Publications
Print ads may have become “obsolete” to others, but for trucking companies, it’s just as important as your online marketing efforts. Trade publications are industry-specific publication that informs readers about the latest news on the trucking industry. By placing your ads in trade publications, you can guarantee that your ad will reach the right audience.
Trade publications have an online and offline components. There are users who prefer to read the print version, while many others will read it online. To reach both parties, make sure that you invest in digital marketing.
5. Try Sponsored Social Media Ads
While trade shows and publications make it easier to find your target customers, social media allows you to reach an even wider audience who might need your services. Websites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook lets you market your company, share relevant information, contact you, and link your main website so interested clients can reach out to you.
In addition, you can try to publish paid social media ads so you can reach more people. Sponsored posts on social media let you target your audience based on their location, age, profession, and interest in your industry.
Check Out How Trucking Business Loans Can Help!
Let’s face it; your business won’t reach its full potential without a good marketing strategy. Creating effective advertising and marketing strategies takes time, creativity, and access to funding. By applying for trucking business loans, you’ll have access to additional working capital to help pay for marketing.